China is preparing to strengthen food security throughout the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–2030) by building a more coordinated, efficient and resilient grain supply system.
The initiative covers every major stage of the supply chain—from agricultural production and grain purchasing to storage, processing and market distribution. It aims to maintain stable supplies while meeting growing consumer demand for safer, healthier and higher-quality food.
Building a More Efficient Grain Market
One of China’s priorities will be improving the way grain is purchased and sold.
Authorities plan to encourage more grain companies to participate in the market, organize policy-supported purchasing and storage programs, and improve grain trading platforms. Stronger connections between major producing regions and consumer markets will also help grain move more efficiently across the country.
These measures are intended to protect farmers’ interests, maintain an orderly grain market and reduce the impact of supply disruptions or price fluctuations.
Strengthening National Grain Reserves
China will continue to optimize the structure and regional distribution of its grain reserves.
Reserve facilities will be positioned more strategically to support market regulation and emergency supply needs. The country also plans to expand high-standard storage capacity and modernize older warehouses that qualify for upgrading.
Improved storage conditions can reduce spoilage, protect grain quality and allow emergency supplies to be released more efficiently when markets experience unusual fluctuations.
China’s grain stock-to-use ratio remains well above the internationally recognized food security threshold of 17–18 percent, according to Liu Huanxin, head of the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration.
This reserve system, combined with stable domestic production and strong processing capacity, has helped China’s grain market remain generally stable despite volatility in international markets.
Expanding the Grain Processing Industry
China also intends to develop a stronger and more valuable grain-processing sector.
Major grain-producing counties will be encouraged to expand local processing capacity rather than relying mainly on the sale of unprocessed agricultural products. This could help create more value locally, support employment and strengthen regional economies.
The country has approximately 24,000 enterprises involved in grain and edible oil processing, food and condiment production, animal feed and other forms of deep processing. Existing capacity for producing rice, flour and edible oil is considered sufficient to meet domestic demand.
During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the annual output value of China’s grain industry is expected to exceed 4.5 trillion yuan, equivalent to approximately US$666.8 billion.
The sector has already expanded considerably. Its total industrial output value increased from around 3 trillion yuan at the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period to more than 4 trillion yuan at the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan period.
Reducing Grain Losses After Harvest
Food security depends not only on producing more grain, but also on preventing unnecessary losses after harvesting.
China plans to promote grain conservation across transportation, storage, processing and consumption. Better machinery, improved warehouse management and more efficient processing methods could help reduce waste throughout the supply chain.
This approach allows the country to make better use of its existing agricultural resources while reducing the pressure to continuously expand production.
Using Technology to Improve Agricultural Productivity
Technology will play an increasingly important role in China’s food security strategy.
The national crop farming development plan for 2026–2030 calls for the breeding and wider adoption of breakthrough crop varieties. It also encourages the use of intelligent agricultural machinery, water-saving farming methods and more precise application of fertilizers and pesticides.
These technologies are expected to improve crop yields, reduce resource consumption and make agricultural production more resilient to environmental and market challenges.
The crop farming plan forms part of China’s broader agricultural and rural modernization strategy. By 2030, the country aims to increase its comprehensive grain production capacity to 1.45 trillion jin, or approximately 725 million tonnes.
A Strong Production Base
China’s annual grain output has remained above 650 million tonnes since 2015. Production exceeded 700 million tonnes for the first time in 2024 before rising to approximately 715 million tonnes in 2025.
Per capita grain availability has also surpassed 500 kilograms, exceeding the global average and providing a solid foundation for national food security.
Under the new development plans, China will continue to pursue basic self-sufficiency in grain while ensuring the absolute security of staple foods.
From Production Growth to Supply-Chain Resilience
China’s food security strategy for 2026–2030 goes beyond simply increasing agricultural output. It focuses on coordinating the entire grain supply chain and improving its ability to respond to emergencies, market changes and evolving consumer demand.
By strengthening reserves, upgrading storage facilities, expanding processing capacity, reducing post-harvest losses and adopting advanced agricultural technologies, China aims to create a more modern and resilient grain circulation system.
The success of this strategy will depend on how effectively production, purchasing, storage, processing and distribution can work together. If implemented as planned, it could help China maintain a stable domestic grain market while supporting the higher-quality development of its agricultural sector.
